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Re: BJ8 Float Level

I understand, and I think I agree with the observations about the desirability of equal fuel levels in the float chambers/jets in the SUs, but here is what I don’t understand: There is just no way that in the assembly of our cars, that the workers checked fuel levels. Instead, I expect that they simply bolted up carbs to the inlet manifold with float forks adjusted to 7/16” (or 5/16” if you want to believe that 7/16” has just been a perpetuated error). Somebody “may” have equalized the drop of the jets from the bridge, but it is more likely that they equalized the number of turns of the jet adjustment screw. Finally, I assume (I know that is always dangerous), although I do not have first hand knowledge since I never drove a brand new Healey, that the cars ran well off of the show room floor. If that is the case, are we making too big a fuss over the pursuit of precise tuning of our SUs?

This observation is a sincere question, and certainly not a criticism of those who have contributed to this Forum thread.

Re: BJ8 Float Level

Originally Posted by Lin

I understand, and I think I agree with the observations about the desirability of equal fuel levels in the float chambers/jets in the SUs, but here is what I don’t understand: There is just no way that in the assembly of our cars, that the workers checked fuel levels. Instead, I expect that they simply bolted up carbs to the inlet manifold with float forks adjusted to 7/16” (or 5/16” if you want to believe that 7/16” has just been a perpetuated error). Somebody “may” have equalized the drop of the jets from the bridge, but it is more likely that they equalized the number of turns of the jet adjustment screw. Finally, I assume (I know that is always dangerous), although I do not have first hand knowledge since I never drove a brand new Healey, that the cars ran well off of the show room floor. If that is the case, are we making too big a fuss over the pursuit of precise tuning of our SUs?

This observation is a sincere question, and certainly not a criticism of those who have contributed to this Forum thread. Lin

About TV Shows-
"...you really can't restore a car in 10 days. I don't want to watch a race where people have to restore it in a week. It's not going to drive, and those cars never work. In real life, it takes years to get it right. " Jay Leno.

Re: BJ8 Float Level

Originally Posted by Lin

I understand, and I think I agree with the observations about the desirability of equal fuel levels in the float chambers/jets in the SUs, but here is what I don’t understand: There is just no way that in the assembly of our cars, that the workers checked fuel levels. Instead, I expect that they simply bolted up carbs to the inlet manifold with float forks adjusted to 7/16” (or 5/16” if you want to believe that 7/16” has just been a perpetuated error). Somebody “may” have equalized the drop of the jets from the bridge, but it is more likely that they equalized the number of turns of the jet adjustment screw. Finally, I assume (I know that is always dangerous), although I do not have first hand knowledge since I never drove a brand new Healey, that the cars ran well off of the show room floor. If that is the case, are we making too big a fuss over the pursuit of precise tuning of our SUs?

This observation is a sincere question, and certainly not a criticism of those who have contributed to this Forum thread.

Re: BJ8 Float Level

Originally Posted by steveg

The difference between tuning and super-tuning.

You are very right Steve.

About TV Shows-
"...you really can't restore a car in 10 days. I don't want to watch a race where people have to restore it in a week. It's not going to drive, and those cars never work. In real life, it takes years to get it right. " Jay Leno.

Re: BJ8 Float Level

Originally Posted by Lin

I understand, and I think I agree with the observations about the desirability of equal fuel levels in the float chambers/jets in the SUs, but here is what I don’t understand: There is just no way that in the assembly of our cars, that the workers checked fuel levels. Instead, I expect that they simply bolted up carbs to the inlet manifold with float forks adjusted to 7/16” (or 5/16” if you want to believe that 7/16” has just been a perpetuated error). Somebody “may” have equalized the drop of the jets from the bridge, but it is more likely that they equalized the number of turns of the jet adjustment screw. Finally, I assume (I know that is always dangerous), although I do not have first hand knowledge since I never drove a brand new Healey, that the cars ran well off of the show room floor. If that is the case, are we making too big a fuss over the pursuit of precise tuning of our SUs?

This observation is a sincere question, and certainly not a criticism of those who have contributed to this Forum thread.

Lin

Doubt if the factory did any of the stuff we're doing and the cars ran just fine. SU probably set the float levels, centered the needles and screwed the jets down 3-1/2 turns and shipped them out to Abingdon. A bin of front carbs and a bin of rear carbs. Mick on the assembly line grabbed one of each and bolted them up.

Re: BJ8 Float Level

"... I expect that they simply bolted up carbs to the inlet manifold with float forks adjusted to 7/16” (or 5/16” if you want to believe that 7/16” has just been a perpetuated error) ..."

I've always used 7/16", and noted that setting kept the flat part of the float lever parallel with the bottom of the float cover. I think a greater or lesser setting might tend to jam the float needle in its 'barrel.'

Re: BJ8 Float Level

"... I expect that they simply bolted up carbs to the inlet manifold with float forks adjusted to 7/16” (or 5/16” if you want to believe that 7/16” has just been a perpetuated error) ..."

I've always used 7/16", and noted that setting kept the flat part of the float lever parallel with the bottom of the float cover. I think a greater or lesser setting might tend to jam the float needle in its 'barrel.'

Re: BJ8 Float Level

A bin of front carbs and a bin of rear carbs. Mick on the assembly line grabbed one of each and bolted them up.

I like Mick, I like Mick,

QUOTE: Though I agree it is improbable that much fine tuning was done at the works I think it is likely that basic tuning was done at the dealers prior to delivery. UNQUOTE.

I'm thinking back in the day the people at the Dealers probably wanted to put a little more personal interest in the cars before they let them go. But today, I suspect the attitude would be, 'Don't breather on the dang thing until it is back here for its 1st service interval .... or sooner.'

About TV Shows-
"...you really can't restore a car in 10 days. I don't want to watch a race where people have to restore it in a week. It's not going to drive, and those cars never work. In real life, it takes years to get it right. " Jay Leno.

Re: BJ8 Float Level

QUOTE: Though I agree it is improbable that much fine tuning was done at the works I think it is likely that basic tuning was done at the dealers prior to delivery. UNQUOTE.

I'm thinking back in the day the people at the Dealers probably wanted to put a little more personal interest in the cars before they let them go. But today, I suspect the attitude would be, 'Don't breather on the dang thing until it is back here for its 1st service interval .... or sooner.'

They'd at least have to drive them from where they were offloaded to the showroom. If they started and ran OK, I'd think that would be it.